According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the United States military needs to take “bold steps” to seize the Panama Canal from Chinese control. The United States has vowed to “take back” the Panama Canal from Chinese influence and has launched a series of military deployments and joint exercises with Panama to reinforce that commitment.
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The Pentagon chief attended the inauguration of a new U.S.-financed dock at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base on Tuesday, touting the facility as a symbol of the “shared commitment to the canal’s security,” following US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to “reclaim” the key waterway.
“China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal. And China will not weaponize this canal,” Hegseth said in his speech. “Together we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence. And we will do this along with other capable, like-minded allies and partners. This is what peace through strength looks like.”
This is actually what war rhetoric looks like, and it’s getting disturbing. The Trump Administration is pushing for a war, and it looks like the crumbs are there.
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“As we speak, US-based military units are involved in joint exercises, planning, and other forms of cooperation with our Panamanian partners on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the canal,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth reiterated Washington’s warning of “ongoing threats” posed by China’s control of surrounding infrastructure and accused Beijing of using economic leverage for intelligence-gathering. “China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area. That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama,” he claimed.
Panamanian officials previously rejected Trump’s assertions and threats, while the Panama Canal Authority maintains that the canal is operated solely by Panamanians, with no evidence supporting claims of Chinese control. President Jose Raul Mulino has stated that the canal is part of Panama’s “inalienable patrimony” and stressed that the country maintains full control over its operations. –RT
Panama has vowed to resist any attempts at a U.S. takeover. The empire might be overplaying its hand on this one.
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